The entry point was considered low-end, which carries a four-week suspension.

The player's clean record throughout his professional career until the present incident of itself merited a reduction of 50 percent.

Moreover, there was provocation on the part of the victim. However, notwithstanding this, the retaliation was restrained to the extent that the kick was not one of such velocity as was likely to cause injury.

The committee also took into account the letter of the recommendation from the victim (Benetton No.5 Dean Budd) as regards the incident.

Notwithstanding the full mitigation to be applied (50 percent) the committee considered a two-week suspension to be disproportionate and duly reduced the sanction to one week.

As a result, the Player is free to play from midnight on December 31.

The player has the right to appeal.

* Evans face a disciplinary hearing to consider the red-card decision against him resulting from the Round 11 fixture against Ospreys on December 26.

The player was shown a red card by referee Ian Davies under Law 10.4 (i) – Tackling the jumper in the air. A player must not tackle nor tap, push or pull the foot or feet of an opponent jumping for the ball in a lineout or in open play.

In making this decision the panel took into account all of the circumstances, including the vulnerability of the player and the seriousness of the injury sustained.

The ban was reduced after full mitigation of 50 percent was applied having taken into account the player's conduct throughout the process, his good character and the presentation of his defence to the disciplinary panel.

As a result, the player has been banned for a period of four weeks. He is free to play from midnight on Sunday, January 21.